The past week or two or three — who’s counting? — I’ve been on a wild ride (or twelve). Through all the ups and downs, I like to think I’ve made the transition from churros for breakfast to Cadbury minis for breakfast quite gracefully. Spring break really does rock! But alas, all good things must come to an end. Like my “lessons” post drought. So, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1…reeeeeeeeaaaaaadddd! (Yep, I still have California Screamin’ on the brain.)
Lesson #1: There’s nothing sweeter than discovering a big brother has made his little sister a gift — just because. (Even if it is a skull and cross bone eye patch. Well, as long as it’s not foreshadowing, I guess.)
Lesson #2: When you reach back for your toddler’s hand in a parking lot, and your 8-year old grabs it instead, you never want to let go.
Lesson #3: There comes a time when the children’s menu isn’t even close to enough food for a growing boy. And that time is very, very expensive.
Lesson #4: Five-year olds love playing the “Raise-Your-Hand-If Game”. And you’re clearly the loser when your son says, “Raise your hand if you corrected Mom today,” and everyone at the dinner table raises a hand.
Lesson #5: An occupational hazard of being a work-from-home mom is getting birthday confetti on your paperwork.
Lesson #6: We’ve made huge progress on the potty training front. All of Pink’s dolls are officially doing their business in the potty. Maybe now she’ll finally have time to focus on herself.
Lesson #7: When you’re two, and going to Disneyland for the first time, it’s perfectly logical to spend the week beforehand working on your wish list. You know, just in case you get to sit in Ariel’s lap.
Lesson #8: Pink wants a hot tub for her birthday.
Lesson #9: When you go into a store that’s quite obviously a tourist trap, be sure to read the fine print before committing. Otherwise the $32 build-it-yourself remote control car you promised your son might actually cost over $100. I mean, if you’re a real sucker.
Lesson #10: For each day you spend on a Disneyland vacation with your family, plan for two recovery days.*
*Actual number may vary, but it can only increase, not decrease.
Lesson #11: Pink has finally answered the question that’s been plaguing all of us. Are you ready? Babydoll’s daddy is the guy in the brown jacket with the mustashio (aka mustache).
Lesson #12: Even our tadpole (which happens to be the size of a mouse) knows this family isn’t pet-worthy. He keeps trying to jump out of the water to off himself, and has even succeeded a couple times. Luckily(?) so far it’s been all CPR and no RIP.
Lesson #13: Pink couldn’t wait for the Easter Bunny to come and check her ears. Maybe that’s because she’s eaten so much candy this week she thinks chocolate must be coming out of them?
Lesson #14: While you should continue to leave cookies for Santa, Pink thinks we should leave clothes for the Easter Bunny. I say if they’re cute and my size, what’s the harm?
Lesson #15: Big prefers the plastic eggs with coins in them. Because, as he pointed out, then he can buy stuff. Like more candy.
I hope you had a wonderful Easter filled with whatever your version of the good stuff is. At least in this house only one person fell asleep crying, “I want chocolate…” Then again, I haven’t gone to bed yet.
Funny about #9….both Big and Little volunteered to me the “to the penny” accounting of that cute little car! What a great lesson in both math and common consumerism!! They got it!
Linda, I made the mistake of telling Big not to talk about it, so now he makes sure to tell each and every person who sees the glorious machine. I figured I might as well out myself since he’s spreading the word all over town! A good lesson for all of us. It’s a good thing he was such a great helper and angel while we were on the trip…I will say, he earned it!